Recent appearances

My Lords, I do not want to follow the two previous speakers by talking about what happens, deal or no deal, but I will say a word about the difficulties facing the House on this Bill and on other legislation before us. My noble friend mentioned the Constitution Committee, which issued a report on the Trade Bill in October last year. We did so because we wanted to get ahead of the game by...

My Lords, I shall say a few words as chair of the Constitution Committee and then make a few personal comments on how I see the current situation. Noble Lords will recall the very positive role that the Constitution Committee played in making the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill more fit for purpose. It was not presented to this House as a good Bill but it left us in a far better state....

My Lords, I too congratulate my noble friend Lady Bakewell on achieving this debate and regret that we have only three minutes. I should draw attention to my university declaration in the register but the reason that I wanted to speak in this debate is that many years ago, I taught with the Open University. One of the common themes that we have seen in this debate, whether we are talking...

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Labour Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 14 June 2005

Previously MP for Dewsbury until 11 April 2005 — did not stand for re-election

Positions held at time of appointment: Member of Parliament for Bolton West, 1974-1983 and Dewsbury, 1987-2005. Opposition spokesperson on education, 1979-1981, on housing, 1981-1983, on home affairs, 1987-1990 (Shadow Water Minister, 1988) on the environment, 1990-1992; on education, 1992-1994; Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1994-1995 and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, 1994-1997; President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, 1997-1998; Government Chief Whip, 1998-2001. (from Number 10 press release)